INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Florida - A number of Sprint customers who live on or near Indian Rocks Beach said they're having problems with their cell phone service. Some said they haven't had service, or have had sporadic service, for more than a month.

Patricia Shields lives and works on the island and she said she hasn't been able to receive or make calls or texts since late November.

"It's extremely frustrating for me," said Shields.

And Shields' frustration was made worse last week when she said she walked into her home and found her brother not breathing. He had apparently tried to call Shields' cell several times, but she never got anything.

Shields, who's been with Sprint for 22 years and has never had a problem, said Sprint told her the issue should be fixed shortly. According to Shields, that was weeks ago.

"Well, it's only on the beach. Well, okay, so what do I do? Walk three miles over the bridge so I can call somebody? That's what their attitude is," she said.

According to a Sprint spokesperson, they were made aware of the problem December 14th and it appears to be a software issue with one of the towers in the area.

10 News was told it's unclear of a time frame as to when the problem would be fixed.

For Darcy Morrison, who lives in Belleair Bluffs and has had sporadic cell service since early December, it's unacceptable. She said it comes down to a safety and customer service issue, and she thinks customers should have been told about the problem from the beginning.

"Why didn't somebody at least warn us? Why didn't they email us and tell us that there was a problem with the cell tower? Why didn't they text us?" said Morrison.

These customers want the problem fixed, fast.

"I want out of my contract. I want re-imbursement for December and probably January at this point," said Shields.

Sprint said any credits to accounts may be made on a case-by-case basis. They add if customers have any problems with service, contact Sprint Customer Service.